Earth Month 2026
All month long
Beverage and thermos discount
Throughout the month of April, you can bring a reusable cup or thermos to receive ten cents off your order! No thermos? No problem! The school store is offering a $5.00 discount on reusable Yeti insulated cups .Help reduce campus waste and support the planet!
Where: Albert Sherman Center Cafe
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Medical supplies collection
Medical supplies on this list will be accepted for donation to Partners for World Health: Acceptable Items 2025
Collection containers will be available in the following spaces:
Where:
- All month long, 3rd floor Albert Sherman Center, near the pillars at the top of the grand staircase
- All month long, Student Lounge, Medical School building
- Collection box at SWAP Event, April 2nd, 12:00 – 6:00 PM in the Faculty Conference Room
Partners for World Health is a non-profit 501(c)3 based in Portland, Maine that collects medical supplies and equipment from healthcare facilities and distributes them to individuals, communities, and healthcare facilities in need. Learn about how you can get involved with this cause at UMass Memorial and UMass Chan.
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April 1 through April 21
Sustainability Through Your Lens – A student photo contest
Celebrate Earth Month by showing how sustainability appears in everyday student life at UMass Chan and beyond! Each school can enter a photo and a winner will be selected from each group for a sustainable picnic pack for 2!
Use this link to submit photos
Thursday, April 2, 12 noon to 6 p.m.
Surplus With a Purpose (SWAP) give and take
Members of the campus community are invited to bring surplus materials to the Faculty Conference Room, or to stop by to collect any of the free items on display.
Rules:
- Only items you can carry - No items over 50lbs.
- No capital asset (asset tagged) items.
- No items purchased with grant funds.
- No computer/IT items.
- No "personal" items - only items for business use at UMass Chan.
Medical supplies on this list will be accepted for donation to Partners for World Health: Acceptable Items 2025
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Tuesday, April 7, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Seed Share Fair and Plant Swap
Calling all green thumbs! The UMass Chan Pollination Association and the Community Garden Club invite you to our Seed Share Fair, taking place alongside a student-hosted Plant Swap. Bring extra seeds—ideally with short growing instructions or in the original packet—to share with fellow gardeners. Small envelopes will be available to help distribute seeds. Don’t have seeds this year? No problem! Take some home, follow the provided instructions, and with a good harvest, you can bring seeds to share next year. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just curious, everyone is welcome to swap plants, collect seeds, and help cultivate a greener UMass Chan community.
Where: Outside on Medical School terrace near quad. (Rain: inside old Medical School Lobby)
Wednesday, April 8, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Powering Health: How healthcare professionals can shape the energy future
Join our guest speaker Elischia Fludd for a rich discussion about how the energy system we have today shapes our communities and how the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources' mission and efforts build a more equitable, future-ready grid. Together, we'll explore the connection between energy, equity, and public health, including the role that healthcare workers can play in shaping the Commonwealth's energy future.
Zoom link
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Thursday, April 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wellness Fair
All employees and students are invited to learn about UMass Chan's many resources and services available and discover ways to support your health and well-being. Sponosored by UMass Chan Office of Well-being. There will be 41 vendors, with myriad products and services, including The Refillery, a local business that refills containers with product instead of selling those products in new single-use containers. Also at the fair, see therapy dogs in action, enjoy many giveaways, raffles, food samples and demos, games, crafts, book swap, and more!
Where: Albert Sherman Center Multi-Purpose Rooms - East and West, 1st Floor
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Monday, April 13, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Drive-up home electronics recycling collection
The ever-popular home electronics recycling event will take place in the Biotech 2 parking lot. Bring your home electronic devices and appliances. All items will be accepted for free until one truck is filled. First come, first served. See here for items accepted.
Where: Biotech 2 parking lot off Plantation Street.
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Tuesday, April 21, 9 a.m. to 12 noon
Hadwen Arboretum community cleanup
Join us in caring for a hidden gem in Worcester: Hadwen Arboretum. Once used as a dumping ground, this beautiful natural space has been gradually restored through the dedication of volunteers, students, and community members. Help us keep up the tradition and clean up! This event takes place during work hours and employees are eligible for volunteer paid time, with proper approval.
Where: 215 Lovell Street, Worcester
Register here.
PTO Volunteer Requestion Form
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Thursday, April 23, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Tour a recycling plant
Ever wonder what happens to the recyclables collected on our campus? Their first stop is a Materials Recycling Facility in Auburn. Join us to see how the facility processes thousands of tons of recyclables each month. We have a strict limit of 15 guests for this trip, so please fill out this form ASAP if you would like to attend. Transportation is optionally provided. Recycling Plant Tour Sign-Up – Fill out form
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Tuesday, April 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Green Commutes Fair
Want to explore your options for getting to and from campus? Stop by to hear about the benefits of walking, biking, or using public transportation! E-bike test rides will be available. Free smoothies!
Where: Outside on Medical School terrace near quad. (Rain: inside Medical School Lobby)
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Wednesday, April 29, 12 noon
Together for a Healthy Planet Open House
The Office of Sustainability is unveiling its new strategy! Drop in and join us for cookies, coffee, and friendly discussion on the future of sustainability at UMass Chan and how to get involved!
Where: Multipurpose Room East, Albert Sherman Center
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Wednesday, April 29, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m..
Shift Happens
Shift Happens is a casual gathering for bicyclists and bike-curious members of the UMass Chan community. Come connect with fellow riders, share favorite routes and resources, learn tips for biking safely, and explore how choosing two wheels can support a healthier campus and planet.
Where: Second floor of Albert Sherman Center
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Wednesday, April 29 and Thursday April 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Clothes Swap
Join the Climate Coalition for their biannual Spring Clothing Swap during UMass Chan’s Earth Month! Stop by anytime between 10AM and 4PM over two days to donate, take, or swap clothing—no donation required to participate. Open to all community members, students, faculty, and staff. Perfect for spring cleaning, graduating students, and parents! Leftover items will benefit local organizations. Bring unused medical supplies for donation, and scan the QR code onsite for furniture swapping. See you in April!
Where: Medical School Lobby
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